3 managing hazards brochure aust

7/21/2019 3 Managing Hazards Brochure Aust

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Managing

HazardsRisk Management and InsuranceManual for Faith Organisations

03


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3/24Managing Hazards 1

Contents

General Hazard ManagementManaging Hazards 2

General Hazard Management 2

Manual Handling HazardsAssessing manual handling hazards in a Church environment 2

Common hazards.And how to handle them.Lifting and handling 3

Posture when performing lifting tasks 4

Repetitive handling 4

Storage methods 4

Working at HeightsWorking on roofs 6

Using ladders 6

Ladder and trestle inspections 6

Health Hazard ManagementCommon health hazards 7

Managing health hazards in a Church environment 7

Ergonomics and Computer UseErgonomics 9

Setting up the workstation 9

Planning work 9

NoiseNoise and Churches 10

Noise and Church neighbours 10

Noise and Church employees 10

Noise and the congregation 10Managing noise 10

ChemicalsChemicals and Churches 11

Managing hazardous substances 11

Non-physical hazardsPersonal hazards in a Church environment 11

Stress symptoms 11

Handling personal hazards 11

Work PressuresManaging work pressures 12

DiscriminationConsequences of discrimination 12

Dealing with discrimination 12

HarassmentHarassment and the Church 13

Effects of harassment 14

Reducing the incidence of harassment 14

Occupational Health ControlsChurches and hygiene health exposures 15

Asbestos 15

Legionella 15

Legionella and Churches 15

Food poisoning 15

Occupational Health& Safety Act 1991OH&S and you 16

The Churchs duty of care under the OH&S Act 16Its everyones responsibility 16

1. OH&S policy 17

2. Safety rules 17

3. Housekeeping 17

4. Consultation and participation 17

5. Training 18

6. Hazard management 18

7. First aid 18

8. Emergency response planning 18

9. Accident reporting and investigation 18

10. Purchasing 18

11. Manual handling 19

12. Occupational health controls 19

13. Control of hazardous substances 19

14. Contractors 19

15. Electrical installations and equipment 19

16. Working at heights 19

17. Notification 19

18. Rehabilitation 20

19. Documentation 20

20. Penalties 20


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2 Ansvar Insurance Risk Management and Insurance

A hazard is anything that couldcause injury, illness or damage.

These can be obvious workingat heights, faulty machinery andslippery surfaces. They can bethe result of overlooking a risk injury from motor vehicles, poorhousekeeping, uneven surfaces,badly maintained tools or working

in a confined space.This section will help you managethose hazards and as a result, makeyour Church a safer place for you,your congregation and visitors.

The simplest way to manage hazards is to adopt the AS/NZS ISO

31000:2009 risk management principles and guidelines.

identify and list all the hazards in the Church and onthe property

assess the risk from each particular hazard

prioritise the list the first ones you should deal with are

those most likely to cause a problem and those most likely

to have major consequences

look at ways to control the identified hazards

seek professional help if necessary

put control measures in place to reduce the risk the

Hierarchy of Controls (Attachment J)is well worth looking at

monitor and review risk treatment options to determine

whether alternative measures may be more effectiveTo help you identify physical hazards, use the Hazard

Identification List (Attachment B). Your Church may also find it

helpful to use anAnnual Hazard Review Form (Attachment C).

Manual HandlingHazardsManual handling is any activity that requires physical effort. This

includes lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, restraining

moving or holding.

Assessing manual handling hazards in

a Church environment

There is a risk in any physical activity.

The best way to start managing any hazard is recognizing the

risk. This can be as simple as looking at any task that involves

manual handling and working out how best to reduce the risk

of damage or injury.

Take lifting for example. Identify the most difficult lifting tasks

performed at the Church. Consider the type of load, how much

it weighs, the area involved is the floor slippery, is it in a

confined space etc how fit is the person doing the lifting. Then

consider your options. Can you arrange help? Would a trolley or

a mechanical lift help? Can it be stored somewhere else?

General HazardManagement

Managing Hazards



Lifting and handling

Lifting and handling should be approached with care. Some

simple planning can help you avoid sprains, long term injury

and damage to your Church.

How heavy is it?

If in doubt, mechanical assistance such as trolleys, conveyors,

cranes or jacks can help. Maybe a team of people is required.

Its often better to wait to do it safely, than to go ahead and

injure yourself on your own.

Is it an awkward shape?

If its an odd shape or heavy, ask yourself if it absolutely has to

go where you plan and if there is an easier way to get it there.

How many times will you move it?

Forward planning can help you avoid double handling.

Does it need a handle?

Sometimes a simple change can make handling easier. This can

include adding handles, providing grips or putting things in

smaller packages.

How to handle common hazards


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Can you redesign the workplace?

Would higher benches eliminate bending?

Would shelving make it easier to store heavy items?

Posture when performing lifting tasks

Awkward posture results in muscle fatigue. When lifting, this

can result in sprains, ruptures and broken bones. Make sure

the person doing the lifting knows the posture they need to use

and make sure there is plenty of room.

More information on lifting techniques is available from your

local WorkCover Authority.

Where people sit at workstations, see that the workstations are

well designed with often-used items kept close to the body.

Job rotation can also help rest muscles.

Repetitive handling

This is usually more of an issue for industrial workplaces than

for Churches. But its worth noting. Injury can occur from simple

repetitive tasks like stacking chairs. It is best to get a number

of people to help. If it takes a while, take regular breaks.

Manual handling information and a Manual Handling Code of

Practice is available from the WorkCover Authority in your state.

Storage methods

The right storage makes manual handling easier, and safer.

Some key considerations are:

make sure storage areas are designed to minimise

the amount of lifting and shifting

use adjustable shelving its the most effective way

of using space

keep small items on hooks and pegs or in containers

avoid storage over head height

store frequently used items between chest and hip level

store light and rarely used objects at shoulder height

reduce the need for storage by purchasing items in

small quantities where possible dont store items on the floor or in walkways

make sure combustible materials are kept well away from:

sprinkler heads

fire extinguishers

hose reels

lighting/sources of heat



As a rule, the ground is a workers best friend.

Working at heights can present a risk to health and safety in any

workplace. Work that exposes anyone to the risk of falling is a

serious hazard that needs to be managed.

Here are some simple questions that may make the work easier.

Is it necessary?

Can the work be avoided?

Can all or part of the work be completed on the ground?

Would it be better to use a professional contractor?What safety precautions do you need to use?

Its important to know that each state has different legislation

covering height work. Before commencing any height work,

check the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations

in your state. These will give precise guidelines for the use of

working platforms, work harnesses and other devices. Our Risk

Services Team can also let you know the regulations applicable

for your Church.

Working at Heights


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Working on roofs

Working on roofs can be extremely dangerous.Any fall can

cause serious injury. If your roof is made of fragile materials, likeasbestos cement, it may require special handling and signage to

warn of the dangers involved. Its best to only use experienced

and licensed professionals for any roof work.

Using ladders

Ladders make simple jobs easier from changing light globes to

cleaning gutters. Common sense is your best guide when using

ladders or other work platforms.

If you do need to use a ladder, please ensure:

you use the right sort of ladder for the job its strong

enough and long enough

only small, light loads (of tools and materials) are used

on the ladder

that tools and materials are raised or lowered with

a hand-line.

the ladder is in a good condition

the ladder is stored, transported and erected carefully

the ladder stands on a stable, firm surface

the ladder is not set up on scaffolding or elevated work

platforms to gain extra height

the ladder is stable throughout the project the ladder is not used in access areas or within the

area of swinging doors

any hot work (welding or oxy-cutting) is performed

on the ground

you dont use a metal ladder or wooden ladder with

wire reinforcement if there is a risk of it coming into

contact with live electrical parts. (These ladders should

be permanently marked do not use where an electrical

hazard exists).

Ladder and trestle inspections

It is important to ensure that ladders and trestles are kept

in good order.

Inspection checklist for ladders and trestles

Extension Ladders Checked Needrepair

Loose, broken or missing

extension locks

Defective locks not seating

properly when ladder extended

Rusted or corroded metal parts

Worn, broken or badly

deteriorated cords

Trestles Checked Need

repair

Loose hinges

Wobbly

Loose or bent hinge spreaders

Stop on hinge spreader broken

Centre section for extension

out of alignment

Defective locks for extension



Common health hazards

A health hazard is a hazard that can cause illness or

non-traumatic injury to people.They can be divided into three main categories: physical,

biological and chemical.

Physical

poor ergonomics

temperature variations

vibration

noise

poor lighting

dust

assault repetitious work

Chemical (solids, liquids and gases)

solvents and other chemicals

pesticides

paint

gas

resins

acids and caustics

Biological

bacteria

insect bite

poor sanitation

infectious diseases

Other

radiation

computer use

Managing health hazards in a Church environment

The simple guidelines outlined on page 2 in, General Hazard

Management can also be used to manage health hazards.

To assist you to identify health hazards use the Hazard

Identification List (Attachment B). You may also find it useful

to use anAnnual Hazard Review Form (Attachment C).

Health Hazard Management


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Ergonomics and Computer Use



Little things add up.Poor posture or repetitive actions (like typing) can lead to neck,

wrist and back pain. Eyes can also be damaged. Anyone usingpersonal computers in an office environment should adopt safe

work practices.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces,

equipment, products and systems so that they fit the needs of

the people who use them.

Sometimes, simple changes to work methods are all it takes

to prevent injury and illness. They not only make people more

comfortable, they can increase productivity too.

Repetitive strain injury is the most common problem where

ergonomics are poor. Wrists, elbows and shoulders are most

commonly affected.

Its not just about furniture and equipment. Job design, lighting,

noise, air quality, office landscaping and personal space can all

impact the health of your workers.

Specialist publications on ergonomics can be obtained from the

WorkCover Authority in your state.

Setting up the workstation

Take a close look at the workstation. Sometimes the

simplest adjustment can reduce fatigue and discomfort forpeople in a workstation.

Key considerations are:

Use a chair with good lumbar support. Adjust the

backrest to ensure it supports the natural curve of the

lower back.

Adjust the height of the seat. Thighs should be parallel

to the floor and feet kept in contact with the floor.

Elbows should be at or about level with the home row

on the keyboard. If the height of the chair needs to

be adjusted, consider using a footrest to ensure feetare stable.

Make sure the monitor is at the right height, angle and

distance to enable viewing of the screen in comfort.

(Australian and New Zealand Standards recommend a

viewing distance of between 350mm and 750mm with

a maximum of 400mm from the work surface to the

centre of the screen.

The situation may vary for people with graded spectacles.

Ensure that documents are positioned at a suitable

height. If necessary, use a document holder. These are

usually available at low cost.

Planning work

One of the best ways to avoid injury during repetitive work is

to plan the project.

try and vary the types of tasks so that different muscle

groups are used

take frequent short breaks away from the desk

pace the work

rest your eyes look away from the screen frequently,

preferably at something distant

dont over-reach either place the printer, files and other

work equipment within easy reach or in a place where you

have to leave your chair to access them.


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Excessive noise can cause permanent damage to peoples

hearing. When dealing with legislative requirements and

excessive noise, many factors need to be considered. Theseinclude how loud the noise is, how often its heard and how

long people are exposed to it.

Noise and Churches

Noise was not seen as a problem for Churches in the past.

This is rapidly changing as places of worship embrace new

technologies in their services. Public address systems and

sound systems are now common sources of noise in Churches.

There are three groups of people to be considered when

thinking about noise in Churches: neighbours, employees

and the congregation.

Case study

A local council recently prosecuted a Church for excessive

noise. The Church was found guilty and the subsequent fine

and legal costs were in the vicinity of $15,000.

Noise and Church neighboursChurches must be sensitive to the needs of their neighbours.

OH&S regulations have a range of obligations in relation to noise.

Some local councils also impose noise regulations under their

health by-laws. If, after checking the applicable regulations, you

believe you have a noise problem, seek professional advice and

act on it.

Noise and Church employeesEmployers have a responsibility under OH&S and Workers

Compensation legislation to ensure their employees do not

sustain an injury in the course of their employment.

Hearing loss is defined as aninjuryin this legislation. Long-term

exposure to noise can cause hearing loss. This is not uncommon

where people are exposed to highly amplified music.

Check the noise levels at your Church. While noise levels are

likely to be highest during worship services, the noise is not

likely to be sustained over extended periods. So, it is unlikely that

Church employees will suffer from permanent hearing damage,

but its always worth checking for peace of mind.

Noise and the congregationDifferent age groups have different tastes in music and worship

styles. Some can tolerate more noise. Some cannot.

Rather than risk losing members of your congregation, there

are ways to manage the noise levels so everyone can enjoy

the experience.

Managing noise

One option is to modify volume so that all generations can enjoy

the service. Consider the placement of the speakers and the

number of speakers. Keep the congregation informed, if there is

likely to be a date where louder music is being played for

example encourage older members of the congregation to sit

further from the speakers.

Noise



Chemicals and Churches

It is often surprising how many common items are classed as

hazardous substances. Detergents and oven cleaners that canbe harmful if ingested or inhaled. Glues, liquid paper, solvents

and photocopier toners can also be hazardous especially in

poorly ventilated offices. Petrol, poisons, gardening chemicals

and heavy duty cleaning products in storage sheds can cause

serious ill-health if not handled safely.

Managing hazardous substances

Exposure to some hazardous substances can cause many

problems from mild rashes to fatal reactions.

Most states have a Code of Practice that provides guidelines for

handling hazardous substances. Copies are available from yourWorkCover Authority.

Here are some simple steps to minimise the hazard.

Some key considerations are:

make sure all hazardous substances are properly

labeled and left in their original packaging

keep them securely stored

make sure anyone using the chemical knows the

dangers and uses appropriate protective clothing

keep a register of all hazardous materials onyour property

obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the

manufacturer for all hazardous substances

put copies of the MSDSs at the point of use and keep

a copy on file

It is important that garden sheds and other areas where toxic

substances are kept are locked. All hazardous substances must

be kept out of reach of children. An MSDS guidance document is

available(Attachment T).

Hazards are not just physical dangers they can come from work

pressures, harassment, threats, discrimination, boredom or lack

of recognition. These hazards real or imagined usually causea high level of stress.

Personal hazards in a Church environment

Different people handle stress in different ways.

What may initially seem exciting, inspiring and challenging

might become a negative experience if it turns out to be too

demanding, too intense and excessively time consuming. This

may result in physical symptoms loosely termed as stress.

Stress can affect office staff and ministry team members which

can result in anxiety and depression. If the causes are not

addressed, they may result in a workers compensation or

liability claim against your Church.

Stress symptoms

Managers and pastors/ministers need to be able to recognise

when someone is feeling stressed. Some of the more common

signs are: frequent absence from work, frequent complaints

of headache and abdominal pain, mood swings and unusual

or irrational behaviour.

Handling personal hazards

Handling personal hazards and the stress they can cause

requires empathy and common sense.

Chemicals Non-physical hazards


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Church staff are, usually, dedicated workers who just want to

help. Sometimes these people are unintentionally exposed

to extra work pressures. Pressure that can cause anxiety,depression and, sometimes, physical symptoms.

Managing work pressures

There are many issues that need to be considered. Some of the

more common include:

The need to feel wanted. Often staff need to feel they are seen

as more than a clerical resource or an unnoticed member of a

not-so-important support team. Consultation with individual

members shows them their opinion and input is valued.

Lack of direction. Each member of staff should know exactly

what their job is. Written position descriptions are the best way

to define their role and responsibilities.

Lack of self esteem. Each staff member should have a degree

of autonomy that is appropriate to their position. Allowing them

to handle their responsibilities increases their self-esteem.

Lack of confidence especially around new technologies.

Provide appropriate training. Provide regular feedback. Give

assistance or counselling where needed.

Overwork. Ensure staff have not taken on more work than they

can reasonably handle.

Boredom.Allow social interaction at work and ensure all staff

have enough work.

Case study

Work pressures finally got the better of Katherine, an

Administration Officer for a Sydney based Faith

Organisation.

Already suffering undiagnosed depression and family stress

with a sick child, Katherine suffered a serious breakdown

caused by an excessive workload and a lack of confidencedue to poor training.

With no-one to talk to about her stresses at work, her

breakdown was legitimate and the Faith Organisation was

found negligent.

Discrimination is simply abouttreating people differently.This can be because of any sort of perceived difference

a physical or intellectual impairment, religious belief, marital

status, race, pregnancy, ethnicity or national origin, age, political

opinion, employment status, family status, sexual orientation

or other specific beliefs they may hold.

All States have anti-discrimination legislation that makes

it unlawful to discriminate against people for who they are,

what they may do or how they may behave in their public

or private life.

Consequences of discrimination

There are many possible outcomes of discrimination. It can lead

to compensation claims or legal action being taken against

individuals and Churches under OH&S, Industrial Relations or

Equal Opportunity legislation.

Dealing with discrimination

This can be a tricky area for anyone asked to handle the situation.

Some guiding principles include:

Be aware of what constitutes discrimination.

Educate all your staff.

Ensure pastors, ministers, management personnel,

employees and those involved in ministry work understand

what discrimination is.

Take positive action.

Make sure your people understand it will not be tolerated.

A simple way is to have everyone help to draw up a simple

anti-discrimination policy.

Safety first.

If anyone in the Church believes they are about to take any

action that could be considered discriminatory, have themseek advice from their department leader before

proceeding.

Treat it seriously.

When senior pastors or Church management become

aware of a complaint, it must be taken seriously and fully

investigated. It may be necessary to seek legal advice

before carrying out the investigation.

Be seen to act.

Any investigation must be carried out in a timely manner.

Report it.All matters reported as potentially discriminatory should be

reported to Ansvar Insurance. We will then be able to

provide appropriate advice.

Work Pressures Discrimination



Sometimes called bullying, harassment is any unreasonable and

unwanted provocative action. It can be as simple as deliberately

annoying someone, provoking a hostile response, or putting

undue pressure on another person.

Harassment and the Church

While there are very few examples of harassment in Churches,

we must remain vigilant. It can come from anywhere from your

employees, Church leaders, volunteers or visitors. No matter who is

causing the harassment, it is the Churchs responsibility to stop it.

The best defence is to provide an environment where

harassment is seen as unacceptable.

Encourage openness. Most often bullies are able to continue

their harassment because their victims are simply too afraid to

report it.

Harassment


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Effects of harassment

Harassment can have serious effects on your Church.

the harassed employees can make more mistakes there is often less co-operation on all projects

so a negative environment develops

staff can make workers compensation claims

valued workers may resign

Reducing the incidence of harassment

If your Church is aware of an alleged incident of harassment

it must be reported to Ansvar Insurance who will provide

appropriate advice.

There are some very clear steps you can take to protect

your Church from harassment:

make a statement clearly state your intolerance

of workplace bullying.

listen be aware of what is occurring in the

work environment.

look for the signs check the workplace for

indications of harassment.

have a process establish clear procedures to deal

with complaints.

be prompt investigating all complaints immediately be firm take action quickly and stick to your decision.

keep a record all incidents of harassment or bullying

should be filed.



Churches and hygiene health exposures

Where people may be exposed to hazards like noise, dust,

asbestos, radiation and Legionella appropriate controls mustbe put in place. The most likely health exposures to occur in a

Church environment are asbestos and Legionella.

Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos fibres in the atmosphere could lead to a

terminal illness. Such as illness can take 10 to 20 years to manifest.

Asbestos may be found in many places including insulation, wall

and floor tiles, electrical switchboards, roofs, fences and lagging

on pipes. Most forms of asbestos found in buildings are not

hazardous unless their surface has been damaged.

It is most unlikely that asbestos will be located in buildings

erected after 1983.

If your Church buildings were constructed before 1983 you

will have obligations under Occupational Health and Safety

legislation to ensure that asbestos is not a risk to the health

of people visit ing your property.

You may be required to:

establish an Asbestos Register

establish an ongoing inspection program

install appropriate signage

remove unstable asbestos warn maintenance workers of the presence of asbestos

so they can take appropriate precautions

If you need help to establish whether there is asbestos on

the Church property, contact your WorkCover Authority or

Ansvar Insurance.

Legionella

Legionella is a type of bacteria that can be spread through poorly

maintained cooling towers in evaporative air-conditioning

systems. If inhaled, this can cause Legionnaires Disease

a pneumonia-like disease that often results in death.

Legionella and Churches

There is some potential for risk of Legionella at larger Churches

with commercial air-conditioning systems. All Churches that

have an evaporative air-conditioning system incorporating

cooling towers need to ensure the system is properly maintained.

This is a job best left to experts.

Next steps

To protect your Church and the congregation you should:

institute a maintenance contract with a qualified andaccredited air-conditioning service company

seek written confirmation they will service your equipment

in line with the applicable legislation in your state

promptly institute any necessary remedial work that may be

recommended as a result of the regular inspections carried

out by the contractor

maintain a file of the service dockets supplied by the

contractor. These need to be available for inspection by your

WorkCover Authority.

Food poisoning

Care should be taken whenever food is served. With catering,

for example, there is a very real risk of food poisoning unless

stringent hygiene measures are in place.

Case study

There was an instance in Melbourne where three hundred

people became ill as a result of a meal served at a

religious festival.

For more details, checkPage 18, People Protection, Food Safety.

Occupational Health Controls


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OH&S and you

This act has been set up to ensure the safety of all employees.

It applies to the relationship that exists between employers andpaid employees. It also places a duty of care on employers and

occupiers of premises to ensure they do not adversely affect the

health and safety of their community.

In early 2008, the then Minister for Employment and

Workplace Relations, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, announced

a national review into model Occupational Health and Safety

(OHS) Laws. Please make sure you check the government

website www.deewr.gov.au for any changes to OHS laws.

The legislation applies equally to all employers regardless ofsize. It includes employees, volunteers, contractors and invitees.

Employees

Even if you only have one paid employee, that person will

be covered by the provisions of the legislation.

Volunteers

The provisions of the legislation apply equally to volunteers.

Indeed, because of their lack of expertise in the areas in

which they may be working, they are owed an even greater

duty of care than a paid employee.

Contractors

People who are contracted to perform maintenance work

are covered by the legislation to the extent that the Church

must not do anything to place them at risk of injury.

Contractors are however, responsible for their own health

and safety in relation to things within their own control

and knowledge.

Invitees

Any person who enters the Church property at the invitationof the Church is owed a duty of care under OH&S legislation.

Such a person must not be exposed to a risk of injury.

You must comply with OH&S requirements.

The good news? It is often easier for Churches to address these

requirements than it is for major industrial employers.

The Churchs duty of care under the OH&S Act

In broad terms, the obligations for the Church are the same as

for any employer. They include:Providing a safe physical environment.You must provide and

maintain buildings and equipment in good repair and provide

safe systems of work for employees and others.

Providing adequate facilities. This includes first aid facilities,

adequate lighting and sufficient work space

Managing hazards.You must establish effective methods for

identifying and dealing with hazards.

Safety First

Employees must receive adequate information, instruction,

training and supervision for all tasks Employees must be trained in the safe handling and storage

of hazardous substances

Material Safety Data Sheets must be made available

All steps to ensure the safety of contractors in the

workplace must be taken

Personal protective equipment must be provided where

necessary. This includes gloves for gardeners and goggles

for people mowing lawns

Learning from past experiences. Every accident that harmed

or could have harmed someone must be recorded. Serious

injuries must be reported.

Its everyones responsibility

Employees, whether paid or voluntary, have a responsibility

to their employer and to their colleagues. They must:

comply with lawful instructions

not behave in a willful and reckless manner

use any protective equipment provided

follow all OH&S policies and procedures

report all hazards to the OH&S Co-ordinator

OH&S legislation varies from state to state. Please obtain a copyof the OH&S laws and regulations that apply in your state. They

can be obtained from your local WorkCover Authority.

Occupational Health & Safety Act 1991



Getting started

Make someone responsible.

Appoint an OH&S Co-ordinator. The best option is a Churchmember willing to fill the position. Someone with some

knowledge of the OH&S requirements in your state.

This section provides you with a structured approach to comply

with the main provisions of the legislation. It is designed to make

the task of complying with the legislation less onerous.

To set up an OH&S program for your Church, read this section

thoroughly and complete the Action Plan/Audit Tool Template

(Attachment L). This template can also be used to audit your

OH&S program annually, ensuring that your Church continues

to comply with the legislation.

1. OH&S policy

Does my Church need a Health and Safety Policy?

Yes.

All Churches should have an OH&S Policy outlining their

commitment to safety. The Health and Safety Policy

(Attachment M)may be used as a basis for complying with

legislation. It should be adjusted to suit the needs of your Church

and signed by the relevant people. It should be reviewed,

re-signed, updated and reissued annually.

The policy should be issued to all Church leaders and displayed

on the Church notice board.

2. Safety rules

Does my Church need a set of safety rules?

Yes.

There should be written safety rules issued on the same basis

as the OH&S Policy.

The rules need to be relevant to your Church and may vary

according to the physical nature of the Church property andcongregation. See Health and Safety Rules (Attachment N)

for an example.

3. Housekeeping

Is a formalised form of housekeeping necessary in the Church?

It makes sense to.

Documented inspections dont just keep your Church neater,

they keep it safer. Regular inspections help you manage risks

like trip hazards, potential causes of fire and blocked exits.

Have inspections carried out by the OH&S Co-ordinator

accompanied by a different Church leader or employee on each

occasion. A fresh pair of eyes may notice hazards that someone

inspecting on a regular basis could overlook.

To help, we have included a checklist similar to the

Housekeeping Checklist (Attachment O). Completed copies of the

checklist should be signed and dated by the person carrying outthe inspection.

All problems identified should be rectified as soon as possible.

4. Consultation and participation

Does my Church need to have a Health and Safety Committee?

No.

But you must consult with employees on all matters relating to

OH&S. A Safety Committee is an easy way to do this.

If you dont have a Safety Committee, you should:

consult regularly. This could be in the form of information

sessions at leaders meetings and/or members meetings

on a regular basis

take suggestions on board. Attendees should be

encouraged to offer suggestions and ask questions

regarding OH&S issues at these meetings.


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Occupational Health & Safety Act 1991 (contd)

5. Training

What health and safety training should my Church provide?

It will vary from Church to Church.

Your OH&S Co-ordinator should be made aware of their legal

responsibilities for training under the OH&S legislation.

Basic OH&S awareness training should be provided to leaders

who need to train others.

An induction package should be provided to volunteer workers.

A copy of the completed induction checklist should be kept on

file for all volunteer workers and leaders.

An example of an Induction Checklist can be found at

(Attachment P).

6. Hazard management

How should the Church address the issue of hazard management?

The best way to manage hazards is good housekeeping and

regular maintenance.

The Housekeeping Checklist (Attachment O)and an Annual

Hazard Review(Attachment C)may help.

When youve identified what needs to be addressed, rank the

hazards in order of their potential to cause injury or damage.

Address the most dangerous hazard first. Carry on down the

list until all are rectified.

All employees, leaders and voluntary workers should be

encouraged to report perceived hazards to the OH&S Co-

ordinator. These should be recorded on a Hazard Report Form

(Attachment D). We have also included a Hierarchy of Controls

(Attachment J). This helps you decide the best way to deal with

potential hazards.

7. First aid

Has my Church a responsibility to provide trained first aiders?

No.

There is no legal requirement. But it makes sense to have

trained first aiders available where possible, especially when

there are many people on the property at the one time.

We recommend:

trained first aiders are available during services and major

functions where possible

an appropriate first aid kit is accessible at all times.

See First Aid Guidance(Attachment Q).

8. Emergency response planning

Does my Church need an emergency response plan?

Yes.

A simple emergency response procedure should be in place.

You can find information on what should be included on page 17

of Property Protection.

See page 3, Fire Protection for information about the appropriate

fire-fighting equipment required. See also Extinguisher

Identification and Use (Attachment R).

9. Accident reporting and investigation

Does my Church need to keep a record of any injuries occurring

on the site?

Yes.

All incidents that cause injury or illness, or those that have the

potential to do so, should be reported. An Incident Report form

should be completed by the OH&S Co-ordinator and either the

person injured or those reporting the incident. (See Attachment

D.)A record should also be kept of incidents that cause or could

cause damage to property.

This helps to

prevent a recurrence of a similar incident

provide information to insurers if requested identify and record corrective action.

10. Purchasing

What responsibilities does my Church have when looking to

purchase plant or equipment?

Think safety first.

When purchasing major items of plant or equipment, there are

many matters to be considered. These can include price,

suitability for the job and how the item will look. You must also

consider the effects that such an item may have on the health

and safety of people using it.

The best way of ensuring that major purchases do not harm

anyone is to confirm that they comply with the relevant

Australian Standard. Non-Australian products should comply

with an International Standard. Look for the Australian Standard

stamp or identification plate. If you cannot find one, ask the

manufacturer to provide proof that the product complies with

the appropriate standards.



11. Manual handling

How should manual handling be dealt with in a Church

environment?Again, think safety first.

You can find information on dealing with manual handling issues

on page 2, Manual Handling Hazards. If your people risk injury

from heavy or repetitive lifting tasks, you will need to comply

with the Manual Handling Code of Practice. This explains how to

identify, assess and control manual handling risks.

If your Church needs additional help in this area, contact your

states WorkCover Authority or Ansvar Insurance.

12. Occupational health controlsDoes my Church have a responsibility to protect people from

hygiene health exposures?

Yes.

Where people may be put at risk due to health exposures,

appropriate controls must be put in place. This includes

exposure to noise, dust, asbestos, radiation and Legionella.

To establish how these can be best dealt with refer to

Page 15, Occupational Health Controls.

13. Control of hazardous substances

What controls do Churches need in relation to hazardous

substances?

See page 11, Chemicalsfor advice on how to deal with

hazardous substances. The Hazardous Substances Inventory

(Attachment T)and Material Safety Data Sheet Guidance

Document (Attachment S)provide extra information.

14. Contractors

Does the Church have a duty of care to contractors working

on the site?

Yes.

Any contractors who come to work at your Church must be

aware of the Churchs OH&S policy and any special safety rules

that apply. Your Church has a duty of care for all contractors

working at your sites.

We recommend, before allowing contractors to work on the

premises, they sign the Contractors Log (Attachment U). This

shows they have received a copy of the Churchs OH&S policy

as well as a copy of the Health and Safety Rules. (Attachments

M and N).

Some things to consider when contractors are on the

Church property:

Are they licensed? Ask for proof of relevant qualifications,such as a license for electricians and plumbers.

Are they covered? Ask for proof of current public liability

insurance. The policy number and expiry date should be

noted and recorded by the Church.

Do they know the drill? Give them a brief induction

explaining fire extinguisher locations, first aid facilities, exits

and any unusual dangers on the Church property.

Will they be safe? If they are to undertake hazardous work

such as welding or working at heights, ask what

precautions they are taking.

Should you watch? If you believe there may be danger topeople or the premises, watch them while they work.

Make them asbestos aware. Show them your asbestos

register if your premises contain asbestos.

15. Electrical installations and equipment

What precautions should be taken with electrical installations?

Page 11 Property Protection, Electrical Safety contains

information about electrical installation and equipment safety.

16. Working at heights

Are there special precautions to be taken if people work atheights on the Church property?

Yes.

Page 6, Working at Heights provides information about working

at heights. There are special precautions to be taken when

people are working at heights on Church property.

17. Notification

Does the Church have a legal obligation to report

certain occurrences?

Yes.There are a number of events that have a legal obligation to

be reported to the appropriate state government department or

related body. These vary from State to State, but may include:

Injuries to workers such as:

a work injury that causes death

a work related injury that has acute symptoms associated

with a substance at work

a work related injury requiring treatment as an in-patient

at a hospital


22/24


A dangerous occurrence where there was immediate and

significant risk to any person in or near the Church property.

This could be from: the collapse, overturn or failure of the load-bearing part

of scaffolding, a lift or crane

damage to or malfunction of major plant equipment

the unintended collapse or failure of an excavation that is

more than 1.5m deep, or of any shoring

the unintended collapse or partial collapse of a building

or structure under construction, reconstruction, alteration,

repair or demolition

the floor, wall or ceiling of a building being used as

a workplace

an uncontrolled explosion, fire or the escape of anyhazardous substance or gas, including steam

an electrical short circuit malfunction or explosion

an unintended or uncontrolled incident or event arising

from operations carried out at the workplace

Check your local OH&S regulations for exact requirements.

In the event of a serious incident occurring, nothing should be

disturbed without the permission of a government inspector.

18. Rehabilitation

Does the Church have a duty to help with the rehabilitation

of an injured employee?

Yes.

Church employees injured in the course of their duties are a

Church responsibility. The aim is to return them to the physical

condition they were in immediately prior to their injury and return

them to their former occupation or as close to that situation as

possible. The Church has a legal obligation to help with the

rehabilitation of an injured employee.

Where an injury requires treatment from a medical practitioner,

immediate notification should be given to your Workers

Compensation insurance provider/agent for guidance onrehabilitation responsibilities.

19. Documentation

Should the Church keep documentation regarding health and

safety matters?Yes.

Your Church must keep documentation regarding health and

safety matters.

We recommend the following steps:

the OH&S Co-ordinator should maintain a file on all

OH&S initiatives

records should be kept of all people attending OH&S

training sessions

simple minutes should be kept of any meetings relating

to OH&S a new copy of the OH&S Action Plan and Audit Tool should

be completed each year (Attachment L)

the Annual Hazard Review (Attachment C)should be

completed each year

all site-specific OH&S documentation should be reviewed

and updated on an agreed regular basis

20. Penalties

Will the Church face penalties if it fails to comply with OH&S

legislation and regulations?

Yes.Failure to comply carries severe penalties. The penalties vary but

range from thousands of dollars for employees to hundreds of

thousands for employers.

Jail terms may also be imposed for extremely serious and

repeat offences.

Occupational Health & Safety Act 1991 (contd)


24/24

1300 650 540ansvar.com.au

Every care has been taken in the compilation of information included in this book to ensure it is accurate at the time of publication. No person should rely on the contents of this publication without first obtaining advice from a qualified professionalperson. The authors and publishers are not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication, nor for any error in or omission from this publication. In the case studies, names have been

changed to protect the privacy of the individuals and organisations involved. The authors and publishers expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person, whether a purchaser or reader of this publication or not, in respect ofany actions taken in reliance, either wholly or partially, on the information contained in this publication.

Persons using this book need to ensure that actions they may take in managing risks are taken having regard to all local legislation, regulations and codes of practice. Additional detailed information on many of the issues covered in this booklet isavailable from each states Workcover authority or from Worksafe Australia www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

Copyright Notice

Copyright in this work is owned by Ansvar Insurance No part of this Work may be reproduced copied stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permissio n of the Publisher save as permitted

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